The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-03-31
MR.. BLAINE'S WESTERN TRIP
His Informal Reception at the Union
Depot by Several Hundred Citizens.
The Greeting Given Him at Terre Haute. and
and Purposes of His Journey.

The Panhandle train due at HAS A. NJ. yes
terday. upon which James G. Blaine was ex-
pected to arrive in the city, was one and half
hour late At Ills it came slowly into the de-
pot It was a long train. and Mr.. Blaine and
his party, consisting of his young unmarried
daughter, Miss Hattie Blaine, Mr. aud Mrs.
Stephen B. Elkins and son, were in the last
coach. the private car Of President Roberts, OF
the Pennsylvania road, which had been placed
at Mr. Blaines disposal by that official. Mr.
Eikins is going as far west st. Louis. where
he says he is called by railroad interests
Mr. Blaine gave out that his Western trip was
for the purpose of seeing daughter, Mrs. Cop
pinger, who is in Indian Territory. but it is said
that business is combined with this pilgrimage
of love and affection, and that he will 60 to
Denver to attend to his interests in the Henri
eta and Maid of Erin mines, the first named
property having developed within the past two
years into the finest mining property
in Colorado. There were about two hundred
| and fifty persons at the depot, waiting t. see
him. and as the train stopped they gathered
about the cars A large man, with face as big
and as round as breakfast plate. stepped from
the front platform of the last car. "He's in
here" said this gentleman. with a long, wide
SMILE "Yon'll get him at the platform
Taking MIR. Elkinss suggestion-for the speaker
was the big, bland. bue-eyed manager of Mr..
Blaines canvass of 18S4-the crowd gathered
about the rear of the coach. Thore were shouts
for "Blane!' "Blaine!" aud a moment later the
Plumed knight stepped out upon the platform.
Mr.. Blaine's hair and beard may be somewhat
whittier than they were in 1854. but his face has
much better color than it bore during that ex
hausting canvass, and he appeared the picture
of perfect health. while he certainly was in the
| best OF humor. The enthusiasm of the greeting
| by the crowd was not excessive, but it was fat
! tering. General Harrison, who nad waited for
the train hour or more in order to see the
distinguished gentleman, was compelled. by
reason of business. in court. to leave
| the depot few minutes before
the train arrived Generals McGinnis
| Knefier. Foster, State Representatives Llnck,
and others who had come to receive General
| Fairehild remained to sec the statesman from
| Maine. Among the first to shake hands with
him were Generals Streieht and Bennett Mr..
Blaine. as he appeared on the platform of the
| car, said: Il am glad to see you all, gentlemen.
l am entirely on private journey, but take
| great pleasure in acknowledging the honor given
| me in your call" Here there was a rush to shake
hands with him aud friendly cries from the
| crowd asking him to come off tho platform and
walk into tho depot As Mr. Blaine complied
| with this request so far as to get upon the
! ground for minute or so, he good naturally
| voiced his misgivings about leaving the car.
when the trsn.' said he, ''eets going it will
have considerable speed. and l don't want to
play with railroad train"
At this ex-senator Blanche K. Bruce stepped
to the front of the crowd Mr.. Blaine was much
surprised at meeting that gentleman here. and
the two shook hands warmly. He then again
| climbed upon the platform, and in response to
another suggestion that he come down and walk
| into the depot he again smingly remarked,
ooh. no, don't want to race with a train of
cars, tfss-race isn't at all equal Noticing a
number of ladies standing near the train, aud
| understanding their desire to shake hands with
him. Mr.. Blaine calamity came down. shook
| hands with the ladies and half hundred other
| persons, and then returned to the train. the
crowd cheering as the cars moved on, carrying
the distinguished gentleman toward the West.
| An attempt was made to interview Mr.. Blaine
upon the political situation, and particularly as
to what position he would take in the approach
I ing presidential canvass, but he eluded the in
tervewer. In June he will call for Europe. all
1 the arrangements for the voyage having been
completed, and he will remain abroad for year
his intention being to be abroad when the next
national Republican convention is in session
Mr.. Blaine's friends say that he will neither
seek nor avoid the presidential nomination, and
will remain away so that if it comes to him no
one will be able to charge that it came through
his seeking, and that when he comes back he
will take the stump for the Republican nominee
whoever he may be-
The train carrying Mr.. Blaine did not make
up its time between here and Terre Haute, as it
reached that city at 1885. one hour and twenty
minutes late. Between four and five hundred
people were at the Nepot and to them be re-
peated. in substance. what he said here The
wait of fifteen minutes gave him an opportunity
to shake hands with the many who asked
that privilege. He reached st. Louis at
$50 last night, when the party was met at the
depot by two three personal friends and at
once driven to the Lndell Hotel, where Mr..
Blaine was met by politically mixed committee
of members of the Merchants Exchange, who in
vited him to visit the Exchange Tomorrow He
accepted the invitation, and will probably make
| q brief address to this merchants. Mr.. Blaine
litical speeches. aud will accept no formal hos
. pitality attention from party friends.